Susanna Hur was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Gretchen Goldsmith Lankford Award(opens in new window). The award is given to a graduating senior in Carnegie Mellon University's Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences(opens in new window) for outstanding academic achievement who plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in education.

"This is such a great honor, especially since my professors nominated me," said Hur, a psychology(opens in new window) major with a minor in music performance(opens in new window). "My professors have helped me develop through my undergraduate career so I can pursue my dreams of becoming a teacher."

The Gretchen Goldsmith Lankford Award is granted annually to a graduating student in the Dietrich College for outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to graduate study and a career in education. The award underlines the donor's deep conviction that devotion to education makes a difference in the lives of young people, helping them to fulfill their potential as intellectuals, citizens and human beings.

Hur was inspired by her mother, a special education teacher on Long Island. Her mother recently completed a master's degree and is now using applied behavior analysis therapy to help children with autism spectrum disorder.

"Seeing her work so hard to complete her education and to help children has inspired me," said Hur. "I want to continue in her footsteps and work in early childhood education, too."

While at CMU, Hur completed an internship at the Children's School(opens in new window) where she worked alongside the music teacher. She learned how to prepare curriculum and present material to young children.

"My whole goal is to help children," said Hur. "CMU allowed me to combine my love of working with children through the Children's School but also pursue my passions for music and singing."

In the fall, Hur will attend Harvard University to pursue a master's degree in human development and education. She plans to become a special education teacher to help children with learning disabilities. She hopes to work in Boston after college in the public school system with children in pre-K.

Lankford Prize honorees receive a monetary grant and a book from the student's discipline that is chosen by the student's nominators. The prize is named after the late alumna Gretchen Goldsmith Lankford.